Abbeyview v Glenarm Rovers 14-10-06 BSML Div2

[musampa]

Match of the day in Division 2 this weekend with the 'View' entertaining Glenarm at the Forum. Abbeyview have taken 19 out of the last 21 available league points and Glenarm are in good form having despatched 1st Division Broadway Celtic to reach the O'Kane Cup quarter finals last Saturday. Like ourselves, Rovers like to get the ball down and play decent football so it should be a decent open game. Our one and only meeting last year in the O'Kane Cup finished 7-6 to the 'View' after extra time ( 90 mins 5-5 ) so again I'm expecting a very close game and plenty of goals. Andy Robinson unavailable due to work committments will be a big blow to the 'View' strikeforce, otherwise a full squad to choose from.

[musampa]

Abbeyview 1 Glenarm Rovers 2

Abbeyview were not 'at the races' today against a very good Glenarm side and despite taking an early lead, could not get any fluency going in their passing. Abbeyview opened the scoring after 8 mins with Alan Gifford receiving a Stephen Brown flick-on and with a great first touch beat the Glenarm defender before shooting home from 10 yards. Glenarm then took control of the game and after several missed chances equalised on 20 minutes following a corner. Abbeyview then scored what looked like a fine goal only for the referee to call an offside against a player who was not interfering with play much to the annoyance of the home support. With Abbeyview struggling in the middle of the park, Glenarm deservedly took the lead after 25 mins with a well worked goal after some neat build up play. 5 mins later, Rab Murdoch broke clean through on goal from a great Alan Gifford pass and with only the keeper to beat, he seemed to change his mind at the last minute and his shot was saved by the keeper.

With the 'Views' Colin Bell coming off injured at half time, Jackie Todd went into centre midfield and Stevie Smith came off the bench and partnered Murdoch up front. Glenarm, happy to hold onto their slender lead, defended deeply and allowed Abbeyview to have far more posession, but the home side rarely threatened the Rovers keeper, and the 'View' had to cope with some great counter-attacking by Glenarm who could easily have added to their lead. The best chance of the second half seen Smith curl in a great ball into the area but Steeks Brown didnt fully connect with his shot and the keeper was able to save his shot at the second attempt. No complaints about the result, the better team won on the day. Steeks Brown the only 'View' player to come away with any credit as he was excellent start to finish, and Alan Gifford scoring every game he's played are the only plus points the 'View' can take from this one.

[Weeman]

I suppose the unbeaten home run had to end some time. 14 months is a long time to go unbeaten at home.

[musampa]

Yes Chris, was a good run for us on our home patch. As you say, it had to go sometime and Glenarm did deserve to take the points so it was better than dominating some team and then losing a game we didnt deserve to break the run.